Barcelona preview - Cesc a risk

So, here we go. Probably the most attractive European tie we've had in recent seasons, Arsenal v Barcelona. I know we've played Real Madrid, AC Milan and many others with incredible European pedigree, but tonight brings together two footballing sides whose style and approach to the game is very similar.

I'm not going to suggest for one second that it's 'pure' or something equally wanky, football can be played effectively in lots of different ways, but this is certainly a game the neutrals will sit down and watch with some anticipation. 

The main issue this morning is whether or not Cesc Fabregas takes part. Arsene has named a 19 man squad to give him every chance of playing but admitted yesterday that if the game had been taking place last night it would be going ahead without him. For his part Cesc says he's going to do everything he can to be fit, and that's understandable given his enthusiasm for the game in general and the opposition.

Arsene rates his chances at 40% and you do have to wonder how much improvement he can make in 24 hours. From being definitively out one day to fit enough to play without it being a big gamble is quite the leap. Clearly it'll be a big risk if he plays tonight and as much as we need him we have to remember that this game is not just 90 minutes. There's the second leg in the Camp Nou next week which could be even more important than the game tonight.

I think if there's any risk of prolonging his injury then we'd be mad to patch him up and send him out. I know he must be desperate to play, and I know the manager must be desperate for his best midfielder to face opposition of the quality of Barcelona, but using him tonight and aggravating the knock could mean he misses the second leg. And if we get through, the semi-final, and the league games we still have to play. Don't get me wrong, if he comes through the fitness test, which I'm told is going to be left very, very late indeed, and he's ok to play without a syringe full of horse tranquiliser in his knee, then I'll be delighted to see him out there. I'm just concerned that his, and the manager's, desire to play in this particular game might lead them to take an unnecessary gamble when we might be better off ensuring he's closer to 100% for the second leg. We shall see.

There was some better news in terms of injury regarding other players. Arshavin, Nasri and Diaby all trained, as did William Gallas. The Frenchman has been out for a long time with a calf injury but has been back in full training since the weekend. The manager has to decide between him and Sol Campbell for the centre of defence. I think if Gallas is fit enough he'll get the nod with Sol having played last weekend. The returning Thomas Vermaelen says he doesn't mind who he's partnered with, I just think the manager will look at the extra bit of pace that Gallas has when facing Barcelona's attack.

Vermaelen also talks about not focussing on individuals. Obviously all the talk pre-game has been of Lionel Messi, he's in the form of his life thus far and will provide the stiffest challenge this Arsenal defence has faced since Wayne Rooney and Didier Drogba. Whereas the previous two rely on pace and power, Messi swaps power for sublime control and moments of individual skill which can tear a defence apart. You feel that stopping the supply to him will be crucial, as will how quickly we close him down when we do have it. Alex Song's role in front of the back four will be vital (Amy Lawrence writes about him in the Guardian), and while Arsenal's formation, like Barcelona's, places the emphasis on attack, there will be a measure of responsibility on the shoulders of Andrei Arshavin who will have to do his bit defensively as well. Leave Clichy exposed too often and we'll be punished.

Up the other end though Arshavin needs to put in a shift and step up to the plate a bit. In recent games he has become more than profligate in front of goal. How costly was the miss against Birmingham? I'm not blaming him for the dropped points at all, but I don't think it's unfair to expect better from a man of his quality and experience. Remember, he missed a sitter against Hull as well, only Bendtner's late winner prevented that one from being just as costly as the one last weekend. The man has great talent but you do wonder about the application of it sometimes. Tonight, especially if Cesc is missing, would be a good time to find his range again.

I think if Cesc is missing then we'll play a midfield trio of Song, Diaby and Denilson with Nasri as part of the front three. Nicklas Bendnter's size and aerial ability could cause the Barcelona centre-halves problems if we can get wide and get crosses in. Above all else though we've got to defend well, again remembering this is just 90 of 180 minutes. There's no need to go hell for leather tonight. There's no reason to throw caution to the wind. If we could go to Barcelona with a clean sheet, even if it meant not scoring ourselves tonight, then I'd be quite happy.

It's hard to see it though. You have two teams whose attacking philosophy means their football is admired the world over and if you had to pick a weak point in both teams it'd be their defences. We know all about our flaws. Hopefully Manuel Almunia will be the one who played so well against United in last season's CL semi and not the error prone flaphammer we've seen too often this season. The way Barcelona pass and move the ball will require an enormous amount of discipline defensively all over the pitch. Switch off for a second and they can hurt you. Equally though, they're susceptible at the back too, the late goals they conceded last weekend against Zaragoza show they're not watertight and that's something we can exploit, I hope.

It's going to be massive and Cesc or no Cesc, the lads are going to need the crowd right behind them. As I said the other day the club are urging the fans to arrive early and help create the atmosphere. It doesn't necessarily have to be intimidating the way some foreign arenas are when we play there, I don't think that's really the way we operate, but full on support and encouragement for the team could certainly play a part this evening. 

They are a fantastic team, no doubt about it, but come 7.45 it's just 11 v 11. We can respect them, no problem, but there's no reason why we should be afraid of them. It's a grand occasion, a mouthwatering European tie, and it's about time we had the kind of night at the Grove that will live long in the memory. 

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to this. I don't need to, do I? I'm going out this morning to buy some lucky Estrella to drink during the game and I'll be fidgeting like a goat all day long waiting for kick off. 

Arsenal v Barcelona, in the Champions League quarter-final. Bring. It. On and come on you reeeeeeeeeeeds.